Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies, which means the body mistakenly produces these antibodies that act against normal substances in cells. Antinuclear antibodies or ANAs are autoantibodies that react to substances within the nucleus of the cell. Antinuclear antibodies can react to almost anything with the nucleus including DNA, centromeres, histones, ribosomes, and other nuclear proteins. The presence of ANAs in the blood may or may not provide evidence of autoimmune disease. ANA can be measured indirectly or directly. Indirect measurement of ANAs is done using immunofluorescence. Direct measurement of ANA is achieved with a solid phase assay, namely enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assays (ELISA), fluorescent microsphere assays, or immunoline assays. In solid phase assays, a panel of antigens is used to detect specific antinuclear antibodies. A second antibody is used to detect autoantibodies that are bound to the test antigens. The presence of antibodies on the Direct ANA test is abnormal. Thus, anyone who receives a positive test has detectable antinuclear antibodies.
Normal Ranges for ANA Direct:
Normal is negative
Abnormal is positive
(Titer applies to indirect detection)
Sources:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/measurement-and-clinical-significance-of-antinuclear-antibodies
It is not possible to have Direct ANA levels that are too low. A negative result means that the person does not likely have a connective tissue disease or systemic rheumatic disease.
The presence of antibodies on the Direct ANA test may indicate an autoimmune disease, specifically a systemic rheumatic disease or connective tissue disease. In people with symptoms of connective tissue disease, Direct ANA can help confirm the diagnosis. A positive Direct ANA result alone does not necessarily indicate the presence of a connective tissue disease, however. This is especially true in patients who do not have symptoms of a connective tissue disease—a positive test indicates disease less in than 50% of cases.
Some specific causes of Antinuclear Antibodies are:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Drug-induced lupus erythematosus
- Mixed connective tissue disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Limited systemic sclerosis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Systemic vasculitis
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Polymyositis-dermatomyositis
$79 per year
$6.60 per month billed annually
Use promocode
$79 per year
$250 single payment
$45 per month
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place.
Learn More
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
14.3.3 ETA PROTEIN, Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR) Antibody, Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), Anti-Smith Antibody, Anticardiolipin Ab,IgG,Qn, Antinuclear Antibodies Direct (ANA Direct), CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGA), CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGG), CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGM), CCP Antibodies IgG/IgA, Complement C3, Complement C3a, Complement C4, Serum, Complement C4a, Complement, Total (CH50), Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody, Dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT), ds-DNA Antibody, IgG, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Histamine, Plasma, HLA-B27 (Human Leukocyte Antigen B27), Immature Grans (Abs), Immature Granulocytes (%), Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin D, Quant, Serum, Immunoglobulin E, Total, Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum, Interleukin-2, Serum, Interleukin-6, Jo 1 Antibodies, IgG, Serum, Liver-Kidney Microsomal Antibodies, Lupus Anticoagulant, PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGA), PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGG), PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGM), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGA), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGG), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGM), Prothrombin Time (PT), Prothrombin Time (PT) INR, RA Latex Turbid, Reptilase Clotting Time, Rheumatoid factor, TGF-b1, Thrombin time, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Plasma, Tryptase, VEGF, Plasma
